Rachel Reeves accused of being close friends with 'extremist' after Labour suspends mosque chairman
rachel reeves has been drawn into a row after Labour administratively suspended Arshad Khatana from the party on Monday pending an investigation, following allegations made by Reform UK.
Arshad Khatana suspended after Reform UK allegations
The chairman of a British mosque, Arshad Khatana, was administratively suspended from Labour on Monday pending an investigation, it is understood. Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman and the Newark MP, alleged in a video posted on X that the Leeds mosque leader had shared 9/11 and antisemitic conspiracy theories online.
Claims about photographs and meetings
Mr Jenrick claimed that rachel reeves had been photographed with Mr Khatana on at least 27 occasions since 2010 and alleged the Chancellor had referred to Mr Khatana as a "friend" and had gone to his house for lunch during her time as Chancellor. Mr Jenrick said the Chancellor must "explain herself" at a press conference with party leader Nigel Farage.
Rachel Reeves accused of being close friends with ‘extremist’
At the same press conference, Mr Jenrick contrasted a single visit with what he described as something deeper, saying: "There is a world of difference from a visit and somebody or other posing with them for a photograph and the Chancellor of the Exchequer building a deep and lasting friendship with this disgusting extremist man. "
Nigel Farage and other politicians pictured with Khatana
Mr Farage conceded he had met Mr Khatana after a picture emerged from his X account when he was the leader of Ukip. He said: "I met him once... you know you can meet someone once, but that's a day on which you probably met and photographed with 100 people. This is gotcha stuff with just one photograph. " Labour sources also pointed out that Nigel Farage had been pictured with Mr Khatana during a visit to the Ghousia Mosque in Leeds in 2013.
Labour response and Ms Reeves' constituency work
A Labour Party spokesperson said: "These abhorrent views are clearly not shared by the Chancellor. She was not aware of these allegations. " Ms Reeves is the MP for Leeds West and Pudsey and meets with community representatives, including religious leaders, as part of her work representing the constituency.
